The Accounting Podcast

In this discussion, Adam Zaki, a finance and accounting reporter at CFO.com, dives into the recent shift in CPA licensure as 19 states abandon the 150-hour requirement. He examines the chaos tariffs have unleashed on CFO strategies, highlighting how economic uncertainty is reshaping demand for accounting services. Zaki also reflects on the future of the PCAOB amidst legislative changes, explores the role of AI in transforming audit teams, and discusses the evolving responsibilities of CFOs, revealing a complex landscape for finance professionals.

Venture capitalists are now buying accounting firms to push AI adoption, drawing comparisons to soda companies purchasing restaurants. The gap between AI promises and actual capabilities raises eyebrows, especially with many basic tools still faltering. Miley Cyrus's secretive financial behaviors add a dash of celebrity intrigue, alongside the controversial confirmation of Billy Long as IRS commissioner. The AICPA's indifference toward the PCAOB's future stirs concern, as accountant optimism has plummeted amid economic challenges.

Live from the Sage Future conference in Atlanta, Aaron Harris, CTO of Sage, joins Blake and David to explain why he wants to completely eliminate the financial close rather than just make it faster. Harris breaks down the three waves of AI transformation in accounting—from task-based automation to generative AI to fully autonomous agents—and reveals how Sage is building custom language models trained specifically on accounting principles with the AICPA. He also discusses the psychology of trust between CFOs and AI systems, introduces Sage's new AI transparency labels, and explains why his company is taking a more cautious approach than competitors like Intuit when deploying autonomous agents.Meet Our Guest, Aaron Harris, CTO, SageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harris-7407b2/Website: https://www.sageintacct.com/leadership/aaron-harrisX: https://x.com/AaronRHarrisLearn more about Sagehttps://www.sage.com/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David dive into how AI is transforming accounting, making the financial close a breeze. Real-world examples highlight innovative applications of AI, while the implications for job roles are discussed. They also touch on the fallout between Musk and Trump, corporate spying allegations, and Deloitte's controversial work-life balance ad. The discovery of a billion-dollar AI startup relying on human power raises eyebrows, showcasing both the promise and pitfalls of AI in the field.

Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:  What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome to the Show (01:10) - Meet the Experts (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Earn CPE for this episodehttps://earmark.app/c/2542Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Maureen McNicholshttps://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnicholsNemit Shroffhttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroffDaniel Aobdiahttps://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What happens when a major newspaper publishes a summer reading list where only five of the 15 books actually exist? Blake and David explore this real example of AI-generated content gone wrong and what it means for accounting professionals who increasingly rely on automated tools. They break down QuickBooks' latest price increases, demonstrate how AI can now build complex consolidation spreadsheets in minutes, and discuss why Excel skills still outrank AI knowledge in finance hiring. Plus, they examine the legal challenges facing Trump's tariff policies, alternative CPA pathway expansion, and hear from accounting student Jason Farley about the dangerous gap between classroom education and real-world cloud accounting practice.SponsorsPayhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeper REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 TeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamupChapters(00:48) - Summer Reading List Mishap (02:52) - AI and the Future of Fact-Checking (05:27) - AI Video Generators and Fake News (08:20) - QuickBooks and AI Pricing Debate (09:16) - Elon Musk and Government Efficiency (10:41) - The Big Beautiful Bill and Its Implications (18:29) - Tariffs and Trade Wars (39:48) - Excel vs AI in Finance (42:42) - The Rise of Excel: A Brief History (43:44) - Introducing Perplexity AI: A Versatile Tool (53:56) - Alternative CPA Pathways and Legislative Changes (55:07) - The Role of the PCAOB in Audit Quality (59:25) - Controversies Surrounding IRS Commissioner Nominee Billy Long (01:03:59) - The Future of Accounting Internships and Outsourcing (01:20:20) - Perplexity's Onboarding Process: Results and Insights (01:24:38) - Upcoming Conferences and Closing Remarks  Show NotesChicago Sun-Times fake summer reading list article https://www.chicagosuntimes.com/fake-summer-reading-list-2025South Carolina passes alternative CPA pathway legislation https://www.scstatehouse.gov/cpa-pathway-legislation-2025New Jersey alternative CPA pathway bill https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/cpa-alternative-pathway-2025Oregon CPA licensure reform legislation https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cpa-pathway-reform-2025Minnesota CPA education requirements change https://www.revisor.mn.gov/cpa-education-requirements-2025Illinois CPA pathway legislation https://www.ilga.gov/cpa-pathway-bill-2025Trump tariffs constitutional challenge court ruling https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-tariffs-constitutional-challenge-2025Court of International Trade blocks global tariffs https://www.cit.uscourts.gov/trump-tariffs-ruling-2025International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff authority https://www.treasury.gov/ieepa-tariff-authority-analysisPCAOB elimination provision in tax bill https://www.congress.gov/bill/pcaob-elimination-provisionBilly Long IRS Commissioner confirmation hearing https://www.finance.senate.gov/billy-long-confirmation-hearingBilly Long tribal tax credits promotion controversy https://www.irs.gov/tribal-tax-credits-fraud-warningFederal Tax Updates podcast with Danny Werfel https://federaltaxupdates.com/danny-werfel-interviewSolutions Magazine Excel vs AI survey https://solutionsmagazine.com/excel-ai-finance-survey-2025Microsoft Excel 40th anniversary analysis https://www.technologylab.com/excel-40-years-anniversaryQuickBooks pricing increases for AI features https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing-changes-ai-features-2025Puzzle AI accounting platform pricing https://puzzle.io/pricingDigits AI bookkeeping service costs https://digits.com/pricing-plansUplink AI bookkeeping pricing structure https://uplink.com/ai-bookkeeping-pricingAltman Dublin AI accounting company funding https://altman.ie/series-a-funding-announcementPerplexity Labs spreadsheet creation feature https://labs.perplexity.ai/spreadsheet-toolsMicrosoft Office bundling strategy vs Lotus 123https://www.computerhistory.org/excel-lotus-competitionMeet our Guest, Chayton FarleeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaytonfarlee/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website -

Adriana Carpenter, CFO of Emburse, and Olga Pavlova from PizzaExpress share their insights on the use of AI in accounting and finance. They discuss how PizzaExpress leverages AI to manage 350+ locations efficiently, flagging policy violations and uncovering hidden subscriptions. Adriana reveals her vision for AI agents that assist in real-time compliance, while the conversation highlights practical strategies for cost savings and expense automation. Listeners can expect immediate, actionable tips for embracing AI in their financial practices.

What happens when Congress passes a $3.8 trillion deficit-increasing bill by just one vote while promising fiscal responsibility? Blake and David break down the "Big Beautiful Bill" and reveal who really benefits—spoiler alert: it's not the middle class or the national debt. They explore QuickBooks' aggressive new AI agents rollout with price hikes up to 17%, examine why Tesla's CPA CFO earned $139 million in one year, and uncover how tariff-stressed businesses are weaponizing invoice rejections to manage cash flow. You'll discover why the time-based billing model is fundamentally broken in accounting, learn about the emerging "Next 12" tier of accounting firms, and understand why partners work the most hours while achieving only 6.9/10 job satisfaction.Sponsors Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayTeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamup REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:44) - The Big Beautiful Bill Act Overview (03:13) - Public Perception and Survey Insights (04:51) - Tax Implications and Specific Provisions (19:24) - National Debt Concerns (29:35) - QuickBooks AI Agents and Price Increases (32:52) - AI and Automation in Accounting (33:52) - Intuit's Earnings and Stock Performance (34:53) - Price Increases for QuickBooks Products (36:53) - AI Agents and QuickBooks Plans (38:01) - Impact of AI on Accounting Apps (38:56) - Intuit Enterprise and Accountants' Role (39:28) - Reframe 2025 Conference (42:40) - Big Four Transparency and Work Hours (48:18) - Tariffs and Invoice Rejections (54:52) - Big Four vs. Next 12 Accounting Firms (01:00:48) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show NotesDo Americans Support Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' Budget Package? What Poll Found Before it Passed in House https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/05/22/do-americans-support-trumps-big-beautiful-budget-package-what-poll-found-before-it-passed-in-house/161567/ Tesla CFO earns staggering $139 million compensation package https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/tesla-cfo-earns-staggering-139-million-compensation-package Tesla Exec Receives Record Pay Package, Highest Paid CFO https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/tesla-exec-receives-record-pay-package-highest-paid-cfo/491938 Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja draws record $139 million salary https://americanbazaaronline.com/2025/05/21/tesla-cfo-vaibhav-taneja-draws-record-139-million-salary-462881/ Big 4 Transparency - Awards Season https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/p/big-4-transparency-awards-season Tariffs & Trade Uncertainty Creates Invoice Rejections Surge https://procurementmag.com/news/tariffs-trade-uncertainty-creates-invoice-rejections-surgeInvoice rejection spike suggests tactic's use as tariff buffer, study says https://www.cfodive.com/news/invoice-rejection-spike-suggests-tactics-use-as-tariff-buffer-study-says/748528/ Art of Accounting: Analysis of Top 100 Firms data https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/art-of-accounting-analysis-of-top-100-firms-data The corporate work week grows even longer https://www.cfo.com/news/the-corporate-work-week-grows-even-longer-survey-microsoft-reclaim-ai-/748628/ Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a cla...

Could the Pope be on the hook for US taxes? As the first American elected Pope, Leo XIV faces an unusual conundrum under US citizenship rules. Meanwhile, Intuit's controversial new API pricing has developers reeling, and Hector Garcia joins the conversation to explain why this "tariff" threatens the entire QuickBooks ecosystem. Blake and David also examine how companies use foreign trade zones to dodge Trump's tariffs, unpack the AICPA's new CPA licensure model, and reveal shocking numbers on government fraud that could approach $1 trillion annually. Plus, discover why 99.99% of Trump Memecoin buyers lost money while just 58 wallets walked away with billions.Sponsors REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 TeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamupBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(01:54) - South Carolina State Treasurer Ousted (04:04) - Deal CEO Relocates Amid Lawsuit (05:28) - Live Stream Interactions (07:29) - Introducing Hector Garcia and Reframe (08:19) - Intuit Developer Program Changes (09:53) - Discussion on API Charges and Developer Impact (16:37) - Speculations and Theories on Intuit's Strategy (28:56) - Reframe Conference Details (31:30) - Trump's Tariffs and Foreign Trade Zones (33:52) - Introduction to Free Trade Zones (34:42) - Arizona's Dominance in Free Trade Zones (37:41) - Legal Challenges to Trump's Tariffs (40:29) - Intuit's Political Maneuvering (44:53) - New CPA Licensure Model (57:43) - Fraud and Government Inefficiencies (01:06:27) - Closing Remarks and New Podcasts  Show NotesSouth Carolina Senate votes to remove state treasurer over $1.8 billion accounting error https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article287284067.htmlDeal CEO Alex Bouaziz relocates to Dubai amid Rippling lawsuit https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/15/deal-ceo-alex-bouaziz-has-relocated-to-dubai-amid-the-rippling-lawsuit/Rippling raises $450 million at $16.8 billion valuation https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/16/rippling-raises-450m-at-16-8b-valuation/AICPA and NASBA release model legislation for new CPA licensure pathway https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/apr/aicpa-nasba-release-model-legislation-new-cpa-licensure-pathway.htmlFlorida Institute of CPAs successfully pauses bill to eliminate licensing boards https://www.ficpa.org/article/ficpa-advocacy-update-on-house-bill-639American Pope Leo XIV may need to file US tax returns https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/23/american-pope-leo-xiv-may-need-to-file-us-tax-returns.htmlForeign Trade Zones become tariff shelters amid Trump's trade policies https://www.wsj.com/economy/tariffs/foreign-trade-zones-become-tariff-shelters-for-small-firms-a5e81093Federal court questions constitutionality of Trump's Liberation Day tariffs https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-trade-court-questions-legality-biden-tariffs-2024-04-17/Elon Musk stepping aside at DOGE while work continues through 2026 https://www.axios.com/2024/04/22/elon-musk-stepping-aside-doge-juneIRS fails to meet improper payment rate goals for refundable tax credits https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/auditreports/2024reports/202440032fr.pdfCriminal groups stealing up to $1 trillion from US government programs https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/hackers-stealing-us-government-money-rcna15002499.99% of Trump Memecoin buyers lost money while 58 wallets made over $10 million each https://www.chainalysis.com/reports/trump-memecoin-analysis-2024/Intuit's record lobbying spending and Republican support to eliminate IRS Direct File https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/04/intuit-turbotax-parent-spends-record-on-lobbying-amid-direct-file-rollout/Intuit Developer Program Changes https://developer.intuit.com/app/developer/homepageNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube:

Discover how consolidating technology could revolutionize accounting practices while cutting costs and boosting client satisfaction. Dive into the implications of a proposed Florida bill that threatens CPA licensure and reshapes the industry landscape. Learn about the transformative role of private equity in accounting firms and the push for faster results amidst AI advancements. Plus, explore the recent IRS workforce cuts and the critical discussions around tax fairness that could reshape perceptions nationwide.